Midgie at Ashton Gables Mon. Mar. 6, 2006

March 6, 2006, Monday

Dear friends and family,

Midgie was none the worse for wear by our (my) unfortunate neglect this last week. The flu has reared it ugly head here in Birmingham and is taking no prisoners. The Jeff and Jack and Brock Nutter families all got this last week and were all out for the count. I went back to grocery store yesterday for more 'jewish pencillin' (Campbells Chicken Noodle or Chicken and Rice Soup).

I talked to Ashton Gables and told Keysa Williams about the flu and we were staying away to keep from giving this to her. Keysa said mom did fine and when I got there Monday afternoon, we just picked up where we left off almost a week ago.

When I got there mom was in her apartment and was wearing the dark green two piece suit Karen and I bought her and she really looked good. Mom was sitting on the seatee in her room looking at the picture album and sorting some socks. She did say something that caught my attention. I had bought some refills for her Huggies hand (wipes) in her bathroom. When I pointed out to her that it now had refulls in it, she said "you can show me that when I have more time, OK?" Huh? I chuckled! Right then she was not having anything to do with baby wipes.

I put some Ensure back at the nurses station and gave mom a Boost from her frig to enjoy while I was gone. I saw Leigh, the night RN, and she too said mom was doing well. Mom is much stronger and able to walk longer distances without any apparent fatigue.

When I got back, mom had finished the Boost and ask for another. I told her she could have one with her dinner as it was 3:45pm and I was afraid she would not eat if she had a second. I got her a clean Zeigler apron and put her purse in her walker and away we went to the living room. Some of the residence were playing bingo in the dining room and only Mitchell was snoozing in the living room. Mom and I got two rockers facing the fireplace and I got the Birmingham News to share.

We spent some really good time together and I don't know who needed the other worse, her or me? When you have been seeing your mom almost every day for the last 5 years and it has now been almost a week, I think it was ME. I don't know what we would have done had she been at home and both Jack and I out with flu?

Mom and I sat and rocked and talked and she sorted the paper while I started the crossword. My cell phone rang and it was Jack. I gave mom the phone and she and Jack talked while he was driving from school. It was only then that I found out both of our families had been in bed with the flu at the same time. I went to the doctor Monday and he said I was fine. Jack was still running low grade fever and he was reluctant to risk giving this bug to our mom. A good call. So mom had one son next to her and talking on the phone with the other, so she was doing OK.

Shortly after 5:00pm, they came for mom but I told them I would bring her. I let her get out of the chair on her own, and she did, strengthening her upper body muscles. I got her seated and went back to her appartment and got her another Boost and a cup of peach slices. They had a meat pie, salad, millk and I added Boost and fruit, so she should do OK!!

All in all, she seems happy and content and I can tell her goodbye now without it upsetting her. I told her I would be back tomorrow and I left. She looks good and seems to have gained back some of the weight she lost over a month ago. Keep mom in your prayers and I will write another episple later in the week....Good night and Good Luck,

Son Jeff